My Sister's Keeper

So I'm behind again! So much to say.  

First off, I did terrible with taking pictures of Father's Day festivities, but we had fun and Matt is very happy with this gift: An original X-Box we found on the KSL Classifieds. I know, I really broke the pocketbook on that! I wanted Kel to be able to help me make something for Matt and so we came up with this:

It reads: Hey there Pops, Now don't Snicker, we know we are 3 Nerds. We think you are worth even more than 100 Grand. We think you are the best dad in the Milky Way. We love you, Now and Later. Love, your Hot Tamale and Sugar Babies. 

That's right, I called myself his Hot Tamale! He loved the card and since the candy is all gone now, I think it was a good choice.

On Friday night, after all day at the airport, my sister and her 10 month old finally caught a flight here! I had agreed a few weeks before to watch her little guy, Hudson, while she got her hair done on Saturday morning and we just happened to have a parade coming down our street that morning, so we were happy he could come with us! It was South Ogden Days and in this parade, they throw A LOT of candy! 

Chelsea came and helped us out. Matt stayed at home with a sleeping Russell, but since the parade was only 20 feet outside our front door, he was able to watch from the window. 

Hudson did not appreciate the fire trucks sirens. He did however, like the Otter-Pops that somebody passed out. 

Keldrie also enjoyed her Otter-Pop. She also had a blast running into the street to collect candy for both her and Hudson. She was a little stingy with how much she gave Hudson, though. 

Later that afternoon, my sister had arranged for the kids to have their pictures taken by one of our old family friends, Jordyn Brooks. I have only seen one of the finished pictures so far, but it is beautiful and I can't wait to see the rest of them!

Sunday was a pretty normal day, but come Monday morning, Nicole and my Mom both had the flu.  I was able to go and pick Hudson up and take care of him so they both could rest. By the time I got to my mom's house, Chelsea had joined them on the couches. They had a terrible time, however we had such a fun time with Hudson!

Here is Keldrie "Holding" Hudson. 

Hudson has such an expressive face and right here I think he was telling Keldrie that she was full of it.  I was so happy to get some time with my Nephew even if my sister was feeling sick. A few days later I got a little sick, but it was nothing compared to what my mom and sister's had. 

My dad's birthday was Thursday but since everyone's Wednesday night was free, we celebrated then!

Russell squirted out his pants, so he got to be naked for a little while. 

Hudson found his way into the Pantry after someone (Grandpa) forgot to close it. 

Hudson had to check out just what this baby on the floor was all about. 

Uncle Tyler stopped chasing girls long enough for us to enjoy his presence. 

Keldrie got to swing with Daddy! 

Hudson got to have some nectarines. 

And then both the big kids got to swing together. Keldrie thought it was hilarious! 

Then we come to yesterday! I had told Keldrie that after her nap, we would go somewhere special, and somewhere special we did go. Just a few streets away from our house is a park with a Splash Pad. 

Russell got sleepy at the park, it was around nap time for him.

 

Keldrie stayed completely dry for the first 15 minutes or so and then suddenly got dumped on. Then she decided that she wasn't so scared of getting wet anymore. 

She's a riot, she is. I am always laughing whenever we are playing together. 

Besides all of this, we have been staying busy. I have had lots of housework to catch up on since I more or less neglected it while my big sister was in town. We are all doing pretty great! I had a scare with my thyroid when I found myself getting extremely tired all the time, but after a visit to the doctor, turns out my thyroid is doing okay, I just have low iron. Most likely caused by my lack of dilegence for my prenatal vitamin while I was nursing. Oops! Glad it's an easy fix though. Eat iron rich foods and get back on a multi-vitamin. 

Hope everyone out there is going well too! Can't wait for Independence Day!

Swabbing the Deck and other adventures

My daughter is a funny child. She makes me laugh everyday with the funny stuff she does. A few days ago, we were at my mom's house and Kel saw her mop. Keldrie asked if she could mop too and I said that Grandma had already cleaned her floors today. (My mom's floors are always clean enough to eat off of.) My mom suggested instead that she take the mop outside and mop the deck. Soon enough she had a bucket of water and was "swabbing the deck" as she called it. She was also singing the Cinderella songs while she cleaned. I'm not sure if she thought she was an abused servant girl or a pirate, but she was having fun, either way! 

This is her telling me not to walk on her clean floor. 

 Besides all that, we've been having some fun in the sun!

 Russell got to swing!

Keldrie got to swing too! 

Bed head! 

Russell is loving that he is big enough for the walker at Grandma Keller's house. He is getting too big too fast! 

All is well here in the Smith household! We are looking forward to a parade tomorrow and all of the July celebrations!

Play Day in Park City

A couple of weeks ago, Matt and I decided pretty spur of the moment ( the night before while laying in bed) that we were going to head up to Park City for the day. I've written many times about how much Matt and I love Park City. We went mostly to celebrate my birthday. And a celebration it was!

We started out by getting some lunch!

We all loved our lunch! It was a little pricey for lunch, but oh so good! We decided to walk it off by walking up and down Main Street. It was fun to see all the stuff there.

Just seeing the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory sign in this picture makes me crave caramel apple! 

Keldrie really didn't like that bear. There was no way she was going to smile at the camera.  

Once we got our fill of Main Street, we decided to head up to Park City Resort and ride the Alpine Slide. Matt had never been and since Keldrie hadn't either, to two of them got their tickets and then got in line for the lift up to the top.

Russell and I waited at the bottom...

After about 15 minutes, I spotted Matt and Keldrie coming down the slide! 

I was worried Keldrie might cry the whole ride down, but turns out she loved it. She keeps asking when we are going to go back! 

After we finished at the slide, we made the short ride to the outlets. Since we were there celebrating my birthday, Matt gave me what I wanted: money and the opportunity to shop! I know some women like to be surprised by their presents on their birthday, but if I can enjoy shopping and get myself presents (that I like and that fit me) at the same time, why not? I had to force myself to walk past Carter's, Baby Gap and Gymboree or else I probably would have spent my birthday money on the kids instead. While I shopped, Matt watched the kids at the park they have at the outlets. 

We were only up there a little over 4 hours, but it was so much fun! The kids sure were exhausted at the end of it all. I don't blame them!

Turning 24

Today I turn 24. I think that we can all agree that I am no longer in my "young 20's". I am officially in my "mid twenty's". This made me stop and think about what I'm doing in my life and how the 14 year old me would feel about it.

First of all, the 14 year old me would be a little disappointed that I did NOT serve a mission when I reached the age of 21. But I'm pretty sure that that one thing is the only thing that I would be upset about. I am honestly pretty happy with where I am. (Plus, on my 21st birthday, I had a three month old baby)

At 14, I wanted to be a mother and wife. And a teacher, but mostly I wanted to be mother and wife.  I wanted to be home with my children full time. I wanted to marry a man who I would never have to drag to church, but who would be a righteous example to my children, especially my boys. (By the way, the Ensign this month is full of great talks about Priesthood Leadership in the church and in the home) 

I am still adjusting to just how old 24 sounds to me right now. But since I've only been 24 for 16 hours, I'll cut myself some slack on that.  

Matt has done a wonderful job making the last 5 days or so a long, fun, exciting time. He had to work today, on my birthday, but when I started to feel bad, I got the half pint of Ben and Jerry's he bought me out of the freezer. That helped. 

Well, I have pictures to upload, but I think it will have to wait until tomorrow. Happy Sunday everyone!